A Minneapolis lawyer has walked away from his Republican bid for Minnesota governor after a second fatal shooting by federal agents during an immigration operation sparked outrage.

Chris Madel, who previously represented an immigration agent involved in a similar incident, announced his withdrawal on social media Monday, citing national Republican policies as the breaking point. The decision follows the death of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, who was killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Jan. 24, 2026, while filming a federal operation.

The incident has ignited fierce debate over federal tactics in Minnesota. Critics point to escalating tensions as evidence of overreach, while supporters of the operation argue it's a necessary response to public safety threats.

Operation Metro Surge Under Fire

The fatal shooting of Pretti, initially described by DHS officials as self-defense against a perceived threat, has drawn scrutiny after videos suggested he held only a cell phone, not a weapon, as reported by Fox News. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called Pretti’s actions "domestic terrorism," a label that feels like a sledgehammer when the footage tells a murkier story.

Then there’s Madel’s own words, piercing through the fog. "I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state," he declared, pulling no punches about where he sees the party heading.

What started as Operation Metro Surge, a targeted effort to deport high-risk individuals, has morphed into something far uglier. Citizens, especially in minority communities, are now carrying papers to prove their status, a chilling echo of policies we thought were long buried.

Federal Overreach or Necessary Action?

President Trump’s second-term push for stricter immigration enforcement has seen thousands of federal agents deployed to Minnesota. Madel himself acknowledged some of the administration’s achievements but called this massive rollout "an unmitigated disaster." That’s a gut punch from someone who once defended an ICE agent.

Let’s not pretend this is just about one shooting. Two deaths, Renee Good and now Alex Pretti, both tied to protests against federal operations, signal a deeper rift between Washington’s directives and local realities.

"United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong," Madel insisted, highlighting a fear that cuts across political lines. When law-abiding folks feel hunted in their own state, something’s gone off the rails.

Political Fallout in Minnesota

Madel’s exit reshapes the GOP field in a state where Republicans haven’t clinched the governor’s mansion in two decades. He argued that national party actions have made a statewide win nearly impossible, a bitter pill for any conservative hoping to flip Minnesota.

The backdrop isn’t just immigration policy. A sprawling fraud scandal, with losses potentially reaching billions in COVID-era schemes, already forced Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to abandon his re-election bid, muddying the waters further.

Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is eyeing the race, though Madel dismissed her entry as irrelevant to his decision. Still, her presence could shift dynamics in a contest already bruised by federal-local clashes.

A Conservative Dilemma on Display

For many who back tougher borders, Operation Metro Surge sounded right on paper. But when federal agents start looking like an occupying force, even the staunchest supporters squirm. Madel’s departure is a warning flare to the party: overreach can fracture your base.

His final reflection hits hard. "At the end of the day, I have to look my daughters in the eye and tell them I believe I did what was right," he said, choosing principle over ambition.

This isn’t just a Minnesota story; it’s a snapshot of a nation wrestling with how far is too far. Policies meant to protect can’t trample the very people they claim to serve. If the GOP doesn’t heed this lesson, more defections may follow.